Royal Armoured Corps

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The RAC was created on 4 April 1939, just before World War IIÂ started, by combining the cavalry wingÂ (cavalry units that had mechanised) with the Royal Tank Corps (which was thereupon renamed the Royal Tank Regiment within the new corps). As the war went on and other regular cavalry and Territorial ArmyYeomanry units became mechanised, they too joined this corps. A significant number of infantry battalions were also converted to the armoured role as RAC regiments. In addition, the RAC created its own training and support regiments. Finally, in 1944, the RAC absorbed the regiments of the Reconnaissance Corps.